Little Miss Sunshine and Mallzee.com

I'm alive! Finally have a free moment to update...I've been so caught up going to weddings and bachelorette parties lately. It's insane how many of my friends are engaged or getting married though. They are fun but can be tiring. Is it wedding season for some of you too?

Summer dresses are still my go-to choice on warm days and lucky for me, there have been quite a few recently. I love this yellow color and pairing it with classic tan shades. The vibrant color reminds me of the sun! I think they complement each other well and it doesn't feel too dressed up. The jersey material is also really comfortable and doesn't wrinkle easily which is a plus.

F21 jersey dress (similar) -- Nordstrom BP cardigan (buy) -- Steve Madden t-strap heels (similar) -- Sportsgirl satchel from Australia (similar and good deal!)

Better view of the purse

Looking down

Accessories: thrifted 'knot' bangle (similar) -- faux pearl bracelet (similar) -- H&M link bracelet (similar in pink and yellow) -- no name watch (similar) -- tan layered necklace from HK (similar)

On another note, I was invited to partake in the pre-launch of a cool new site called Mallzee.com. It's basically a shopping site that will be live later this year that involves users creating their own online mall by selecting their favorite brands/stores! Once this personal mall is built, you will be about to invite friends to shop with you, talk about products in various social media outlets, and promote your preferred stores.  

So far, Mallzee already has 200 companies onboard (Urban Outfitters, New Look, French Connection, and more). You can also earn great discounts and users get paid whenever they or any of their friends purchase via their customized mall. Pretty awesome right? Register for a launch invite at Mallzee.com if it interests you!

Leaving you with another lovely photo taken in SF of the Palace of Fine Arts

What do you think about shades of yellow? Love it or hate it?

The Liebster Blog Award and A Purple Summery Dress

I have recently been nominated for the Liebster blog award by With Each Passing Day. Thank you so much for this recognition...it totally made my day when I found out! I really appreciate all the love and support from everyone. 

The Liebster Blog Award is given to upcoming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. The Meaning; Liebster is German and means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing and welcome.

Here are the rules for receiving this award:

1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves

2. Answer the questions the tagger has set for you plus create 11 questions for the people you've tagged to answer.

3. Choose 11 people and link them in your post.

4. Go to their page and tell them.

5. Remember, no tag backs!

11 Things About Myself

1. My friends call me a social butterfly and I love meeting new people. 

2. I've definitely caught the travel bug and have been to over 10 different countries.

3. I lived in Sydney, Australia for a year with my boyfriend just to work and travel. 

4. My favorite band has been and always will be, Hanson (since '97)!

5. I love to eat and enjoy trying new restaurants/cuisines whenever possible.

6. I have an allergy to mosquito and other bug bites.

7. I only recently succumbed to getting a smart phone in March.

8. I have a major sweet tooth and can never turn down dessert. 

9. I tend to be a perfectionist and strive to do my best in everything.

10. I have 2 younger sisters who I adore and love shopping with.

11. I had straight cut bangs as a 10 year old and here I am today with a similar hair style.

With Each Passing Day's Questions

1. If you were given the chance to meet your favorite blogger, who would it be and why? Wendy from Wendy's Lookbook because I feel like we would hit it off and she's just so incredibly stylish.

2. What is your favorite movie? Hard to pick one but I loved the Harry Potter series. 

3. What is the one thing you cannot live without? My boyfriend (and sleep)! 

4. Do you speak another language? I speak Cantonese and a little bit of French.

5. What country have you visited or would like to visit? Just to name a few: UK, France, Indonesia, Japan but would also love to visit a country in South America or Africa someday.

6. If you could have any person's wardrobe collection, who would it be? Diane Kruger and Olivia Palermo both have pretty amazing clothes.

7. Have you ever done anything spontaneous? Hm, does quitting my job and moving to Australia count?

8. If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? To be a better cook because I love to eat! =P

9. What is one word that would describe your personality? Outgoing

10.What was the best advice your mom ever gave you? Never give up and be yourself.

11. If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose to be? Katniss from the Hunger Games 

My Questions

1. Do you have a nickname? If so, what is it?

2. What is your biggest fear?

3. Who is your favorite music artist/band?

4. What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

5. Do you have a special talent and if so, what is it?

6. What is your favorite dessert? 

7. Do you have any siblings? How many?

8. What is one thing you want to accomplish or try before you die?

9. Night owl or morning person?

10. What is the craziest thing you have ever done?

11. What is your current favorite piece of clothing?

My Nominations

I'm passing this onto the following bloggers to spread the love, give support to new and upcoming blogs, or just showcase a couple of blogs that I love! (all have less than 200 followers).
2 Petite
A Petite Treat
For the love of fashion
Chartreuse Amour
Pocket Sized
Bliss.Beauty.Love
City Girl
Fashion Girl Eats
Gracefuls
Soulstitches
S(e)oul and P(f)assion

Summer brings my dresses out of hiding! They are just so easy to throw on and look great with heels or flats.  I have been reaching for them when I don't want to think about what to wear. Wearing a chambray knotted at the front instead of a cardigan makes the look more casual and effortless. 

Old Navy western chambray (similar) -- purple dress from Ross (similar and love this one) -- Banana Republic strappy wedges (similar) -- H&M cross body messenger bag (similar)

I adore matching these wedges with my dresses!

Accessories: H&M braided bracelet (similar in a different color) -- thrifted 'knot' bangle (similar) -- faux pearl bracelet made by my sister (similar and on sale here) -- F21 woven ring (similar in silver)

Close-up of my wedges

Feel free to answer my questions above even if I didn't tag you. Even though I don't have many, I appreciate each and every one of my readers! 

More Stripes in Santa Cruz

Summer is finally here!! The schizophrenic weather in SF doesn't always reflect the seasons so we have to venture to places like Santa Cruz to get some fun in the sun. The boy and I took a weekend trip here for his birthday and we had a blast eating at various stands while making our way along the boardwalk. Wish I could do this everyday and finally get a much needed tan. *sigh* On the brighter side (literally), of course I wore my favorite pattern ever...stripes!

I liked the colors of this arcade area

 First time eating deep fried Oreos and it was a party in my mouth!

Old Navy western chambray (similar) -- F21 striped tank (similar) -- Old Navy shorts (current version) -- back zip sandals from HK (similar) -- H&M crossbody messenger bag (similar from F21)

On the pier

Accessories: thrifted leather belt (similar) -- H&M braided bracelet (similar in a different color) -- ASOS gold spike bracelet (buy) -- thrifted 'knot' bangle (similar) -- leather cuff bracelet from Fiji (similar)

Instagram artsy photo of the day

I miss the beach!

What is your favorite summer activity?

Playing With Colored Pants

Wow it's been a crazy couple of weeks with jury duty and it being busy season at work. Yes I got selected to be a juror but it was an interesting experience and I would consider doing it again. I have been taking more pictures with my new smart phone than on my regular camera lately since it's easier to take self-portraits so some might look a little dark. I last wore the colored pants below in this post and I love them...they fit really well and were on sale for $10 at H&M! I wear them to work by dressing them up with heels and accessories or wear them casually. 

Work outfit:

Old Navy pullover sweater (similar) -- JC Penney striped blouse (similar) -- H&M skinny pants (similar) --  thrifted ivory kitten heels (similar with a bow)

Accessories: pearl necklace from Goodwill (similar) -- H&M 3D flower ring (similar) -- Nails - Kiss Nail Dress from this post 

Here is the more casual look:

Gap chiffon trim long sleeve striped T (similar) -- H&M skinny pants (similar) -- Rubi boots from Australia (similar) -- F21 feather necklace (buy)

Side view

Have you gotten any colored denim/pants lately and what color??

Denim-on-Denim + Stripes

I used to think that denim-on-denim looked really dated and was a fashion faux pas but I proved myself otherwise with this outfit. As long as the 2 denims are in significantly contrasting colors, it totally works! One of my favorite combos lately is pairing a chambray with stripes of any kind and I think a brighter top adds interest to the whole look. I wore this out exploring the city one day, hence the comfy shoes. 

Old Navy western chambray (buy) -- Old Navy pullover sweater (similar but more colorful) -- F21 skinny jeans (similar) -- natural canvas TOMS (buy)

 Side view...the sweater is actually more of a coral color in person but might look red in these photos

 Accessories: layered leaf necklace from Lovisa (similar) -- thrifted ring (similar) -- Nails - OPI, A Grape Fit!

Now some belated photos from a bike ride from San Francisco across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito!

 Ready to go on our Blazing Saddles bikes

The lovely Golden Gate Bridge on a clear day

I love how SF is such a walkable city, even with all of its hills. My TOMS are the most comfortable shoes I own and have been with me all over the place. Oh and if you have Instagram and want more up-to-date posts, follow me!

How do you wear chambrays and do you enjoy walking around your city?

Cream with Colorful Accents

Gosh I really need to remember to buy a tripod for my little point-and-shoot so I can take better pictures than the ones in my dinky room. =P Any recommendations that work for such cameras but won't break the bank? I still think I might be embarrassed to take outside photos by myself though. haha

This is an older outfit that I wanted to share because I came across a necklace I had never worn before and wanted to plan my outfit around it. I stuck to neutral cream and black but added a colorful cardigan so that it wouldn't look too boring. I would say 1-2 colorful accents typically work well to jazz up an otherwise 'blah' outfit.

old cream lace top from Ross (similar or cute one here) -- H&M cardigan (similar) -- H&M black skinny pants (similar here and here)

Accessories: F21 beaded necklace (similar) -- gifted Swarovski white watch (similar but with gold) -- silver mesh ring from HK (similar) 

cream-colored booties from HK that my sister got for me (similar)

Here are some photos from my recent food adventures at Sauce (131 Gough Street) in San Francisco.

tater tots with white truffle oil and cremini mushroom plus a smoked gouda and bacon cheese sauce = HEAVEN!!

prosciutto wrapped Hawaiian butterfish with arugula salad and herb risotto...so good!
Last but definitely not least...

My new Michael Kors watch in rose gold...been wanting this baby for months! (taken on Instagram)

What kind of colorful accents to you like to add to your outfits?

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend ahead of them! I'm off to Vegas for yet another wedding so I'll be back next week!

Recent Find: Cozy Ann Taylor Knit

Sorry for my lack of updates lately...I guess I need to make it a habit of writing on here more regularly if I want to keep my readers coming back! =P Life just gets busy or I'm too tired after work and I'm sure you all know what I'm talking about. I was in Dallas for 2 days of training towards the end of last week and am still pooped from that. Maybe this is just a sign that I'm turning into an old lady.
 
Speaking of old ladies, I recently made a pit stop to the Ann Taylor outlet and got an item that is a new favorite of mine...I lovingly call it my 'grandma sweater' and it's so cozy. 

Ann Taylor chunky cardigan (similar here and here) -- F21 coral colored tee (similar) -- no name boot cut jeans (similar) -- Payless cheetah patent flats (similar) -- thrifted Gap leather belt (similar)

Back view

I adore the color and print of these flats!

Accessories: Lovisa necklace from Australia (similar) -- no name cluster ring (similar)

  

Here are some belated photos from Ping's birthday dinner at Cha Cha Cha!

Birthday dessert

Make a wish!

Girl photo

Random photo but this is one of the best late night eats in my neighborhood...tacos!

  

What is your take on 'grandma' sweaters and how do you motivate yourself to blog on a daily/weekly basis? 

Emerald Green at Work and Tahoe Trip #2

I find it hard to decide on what to wear to work sometimes since it's a pretty casual environment but I don't want that to deter me from occasionally choosing business-like outfits. I typically put some thought (or as much as I could muster at 7 am in the morning...ha!) into my clothing/accessory choices and my mood also plays a part in what I end up with. I guess my best bet is going with what I feel comfortable in and not worry about others viewing me as "overdressed" on a daily basis. 

  

I have been loving (most shades of) green lately and this cardigan I picked up on a trip to Hong Kong last year just adds to that undeniable fact. I try to shop as much as possible when in Asia because the clothing fits petite bodies much better although their sense of fashion could be questionable in comparison to what we are used to in the US. 

 Papaya white button up (similar) -- emerald green cardigan from HK (similar) -- F21 belted pencil skirt (similar) -- no name tights (similar)
Accessories: F21 green cocktail ring (similar) -- thrifted 'knot' bangle (similar) 

 I borrowed these reddish cognac leather boots from my mom...love the gold trim details! - sz 6.5 (similar)

This is my mom modeling one of her business outfits from the 80s. =P

Finally some fun in the snow when several college buddies and I drove up to Tahoe again a few weeks ago. 

Group pic with the snowfall 

Fresh powder

View coming down the Heavenly ski lift 

Grub at Hard Rock Cafe after a long day of skiing (I shared and only ate half haha)

Lake Tahoe is so beautiful!

I had to take advantage of this photo op.

Hollister faux fur jacket - sz S (current version or similar)

H&M striped sweater dress (similar) -- Old Navy leggings (buy) -- brown riding boots from HK (similar here and here) 

Side view...I did wear a few more layers underneath (top and bottom) since it was freeeeeezing 

Accessories: owl pendant from Sydney (similar) -- F21 woven ring (similar in silver)

I adore my owl necklace and have been wearing it non-stop lately. The sweater dress is also really soft and comfortable to move around in. It's perfect for layering to keep your upper and part of your lower body warm in the winter too! 

  

What is the dress code at your work and how would you style a sweater dress?